379
... f.
No. 35.
# GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION
His Excellency The Governor is pleased to direct the publication of the following Letter and Return from the Superintendent of Police, in explanation of a portion of the Colonial Surgeon's Report, which appeared in the Government Gazette, of the 19th ultimo.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 8th April, 1859.
No. 24.
W. T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary.
POLICE DEPARTMENT, VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 5th April, 1859.
SIR,
I have the honour to bring to your knowledge for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that, perceiving from the Colonial Surgeon's Report for 1858, published in Government Gazette of the 19th ultimo, that the Statistical Returns referring to Sickness and Mortality in the Police Force of the Colony did not clearly exhibit the actual amount of Sickness as compared with Strength of Force, I wrote to the Acting Colonial Surgeon on the subject, enclosing a Return compiled from the daily state of Sick.
The substance of my note was, that although his Statistics were fully comprehended by him and myself, that they were likely to lead to erroneous conclusions by the casual observer; and that as the actual amount of Sickness had been so remarkably small when the calibre of the Force and its duties were considered, and more especially when placed in juxta-position with the amount of Sickness in the Military Forces in the Colony, that I considered it very desirable that the Return should be clear and explicit.
With this view I enclosed the Return before alluded to, and begged that he would forward it with his remarks thereon, to the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, to be considered as an addendum to the Yearly Report before specified.
The Acting Colonial Surgeon replied to my note (of his note I enclose a copy), promising to comply with my request.
From a verbal communication with you, I ascertained that the Return has not been forwarded—the cause I am assured being, that the Acting Colonial Surgeon forgot the subject, having to occupy himself in making arrangements for his passage to England by last Mail.
I have, therefore, the honour to lay the Return before you for the information of His Excellency.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
Honourable W. T. MERCER, Esquire,
Colonial Secretary.
C. MAY, Superintendent of Police.
MONTH NO. OF MEN SICK NO. OF DAYS SICK REMARKS January, 30 147 February, 21 89 March, 17 89 April, 20 126 May, 28 130 June, 19 99 July 246 August, September, 276 October, 269 November, 188 December. 227 2,150 Total Average Strength of Force—279, Total Mortality during Year—7. Shewing an average of Sick, as compared with average Strength of Force, of 5. per Diem, or average daily Sick of 2.6 per Cent.C. MAY, Superintendent of Police,
Return of Men Sick during the Year 1858, inclusive of trifling cases not admitted into Hospital.